San Antonio Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal injury attorneys have seen the devastation caused by the negligence or reckless behavior of another person or entity. An experienced personal injury attorney in San Antonio can assist you in evaluating your claim and getting the compensation you need and deserve.

An accident resulting in a personal injury is never a planned event. It comes without warning and can be devastating. In one short moment, your life may be changed forever. According to the National Safety Council, there were 167,127 preventable deaths and 46.5 million personal injuries in 2018. Personal injury can lead to mounting medical bills, loss of wages, reduced earning capacity, permanent pain and suffering, loss of consortium and more. A San Antonio personal injury attorney can assure that you get the full compensation you deserve at a time when you need it the most.

What is Personal Injury?

A personal injury is the legal term for any type of injury or loss inflicted upon a person due to the negligence of another party. The person who has been wronged can hold the negligent party accountable by seeking compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. The purpose of personal injury law is to restore the injured victim (“plaintiff”) to the position they would have been in if the negligent act had not occurred.

Let Our San Antonio Injury Lawyers Help

When you or a loved one have suffered an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to find an attorney you can trust. At the Villarreal & Begum Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping the people of San Antonio after an injury.

We are a full-service law firm that is dedicated to personal injury law. This specialized knowledge gives us a unique advantage over other law firms who practice in all different types of law.
We have a proven record of results, with a 99% case success rate and more than $500 million in total verdicts and settlements recovered for our clients.
We have all the resources of a larger firm but are committed to giving you the personalized attention of a small boutique lawyer.
We take all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will face no upfront of out-of-pocket costs, will only pay legal fees after we secure a favorable verdict or settlement on your behalf.

What will an attorney do in a personal injury case?

Personal injury cases can become incredibly complicated. Often, there are many parties involved, including the negligent party, their insurance carriers, and legal teams. By securing a San Antonio personal injury lawyer, you are ensuring that there is a level playing field. Your attorney will:

Obtain all evidence related to your injury, including any video or photo surveillance, accident reports, eyewitness accounts, and more.
Ensure that your medical records are evaluated by a trusted healthcare professional who will assess the total extent of your injuries.
Negotiate with all parties involved to secure a fair settlement for all of your personal injury-related expenses.
Prepare your case for trial in order to secure the compensation you are entitled to.

Types of Cases We Handle in San Antonio, Texas

Truck accidents – Due to the sheer size and weight of large trucks, one slight mishap can inflict devastating damage and injuries.
Car accidents – Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury in the U.S. If you have been seriously injured as a result of a collision, you may have the right to sue the person responsible for causing it.
Motorcycle accidents – Motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer severe, life threatening, or fatal injuries when involved in an accident on the road.
ATV accidents – Every year, many people—including children—are severely injured in accidents involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Hazardous construction sites – Cases involving construction site accidents are complex, and in order to obtain fair compensation, requires a comprehensive knowledge of both the applicable laws and the construction industry’s operations.
Faulty products – When manufacturers cut corners to cost-effectively or quickly produce products; consumer safety is overlooked, and it can result in serious injury or even death.
Poorly maintained premises – If you are injured on somebody else’s poorly maintained property, it may be considered a breach of duty on the part of the property owner, which can make them liable for damages.
Fire – Fire and burn injuries are some of the most catastrophic and life-changing injuries a person can suffer. Another party may be liable if the fire was caused due to a lack of required fire safety equipment or if proper fire safety measures were not taken.
Medical malpractice – When a patient is injured by a medical professional who deviated from the required standard of care, they may be entitled to significant damages. Whether it is through a surgical error, failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, a medication error, or in some other way.
Boating accidents – Negligent actions and careless drivers are not limited to motor vehicles on the road. Boating accidents are also extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
Daycare abuse – If a child has been abused or neglected at daycare, you may have a claim against the employee for the abusive conduct, and also the daycare facility if they did not properly vet the employee prior to hiring or failed to provide adequate training.
Nursing home abuse – Far too often, nursing home residents are mistreated, neglected, or even emotionally or physically abused by entrusted staff members.

No matter what type of accident injury you or a family member have suffered, we’ll always take the time to fully understand the circumstances of your case and do our due diligence in offering excellent legal advice.

What is Negligence in Texas?

Negligence is characterized as any kind of conduct that creates an unreasonable risk of harm, whether intentional or unintentional. As a result, the negligent party becomes liable for any injuries or losses they caused. In order to demonstrate that an injury was a result of negligence, you’ll need the skills of a qualified personal injury lawyer who can assess the circumstances and identify if the following criteria were met:

Duty of Care – there was a relationship between you and the defendant, resulting in them owing you a duty of care. For example, a driver has a duty of care to all other people on the road to operate the vehicle safely.
Breach of the Duty of Care – the defendant failed to act in the same manner that a reasonable person would have under similar circumstances.
Causation – the defendant’s negligent actions actually caused your injuries.
Damages – you suffered actual losses as a result of the accident. These losses or damages can be either economic or non-economic, and often include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.

Each act of negligence is vastly different, as no two accidents and injuries are the same.

How is Fault Determined in Injury Cases?

Which parties are at fault will highly depend on the specific facts of each case. If you hire a personal injury attorney, they will investigate your accident to discover all potentially liable parties. After determining which party is at-fault, a claim will be filed against them or with their insurer. Insurance companies will usually conduct their own investigation and independently make a decision regarding liability. If both parties do not agree on the other’s findings, you have the right to take your case before a jury to receive a final judgment.

What to Do After Being Injured in an Accident in San Antonio

After an accident, protect yourself by completing the following steps:

Remain calm and do not admit fault.
Notify the police and make sure they have all the information they need about the accident.
Record the names and contact information of involved parties and witnesses to the accident.
Take photos of the location where the accident occurred and of your injuries.
Seek medical care for your injuries, even if they seem minor.
File an insurance claim.
Keep receipts for all injury-related expenses. Family members should also record dates, and time spent caring for the injured person.
Speak to and hire an injury attorney.

Contact one of Villarreal & Begum Law Firm’s San Antonio personal injury lawyers to learn your rights and for help recovering the compensation you deserve.

What Should I Tell the Insurance Company?

Following an injury accident, you may be hesitant to contact your own insurance company, regardless of fault. Although you may feel they should help protect your rights regardless of what you say, it is important to know exactly what and how much information should be given. Here are some tips to avoid potential pitfalls:

Limit Your Information

Although they are your insurer and should be on your side, they are a business. As a business, they have a bottom line to protect; so you will want to stick to the facts to avoid having your rates increase or being released as a policyholder.

Do Not Admit Fault

Never indicate that you are at fault. Provide the basic details of the accident, such as where it occurred, the time, and if the police were notified. Be honest, but don’t offer up more information than what is asked. Let the investigation play out, as there may be mitigating factors that affect which party is responsible.

Refrain from Giving Health or Wellbeing Statements

Don’t be too open about your health or wellbeing, as some injuries can take weeks to manifest. Be seen by a doctor and thoroughly examined prior to discussing the health issues you are facing.

Avoid Making a Recorded Statement

Whether you are speaking with your own insurer or that of the other parties, you should refuse to make a recorded statement. You may still be in shock or unsure of the extent of your injuries. If they insist on it, ask why and request that it be done at a later date. That way, you will also have the option of speaking with a personal injury attorney prior to giving your statement.

What is the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas?

Each state has laws in place that limit the amount of time someone has to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. It is vital that you file your lawsuit before this two-year window closes. Failing to do so will likely result in your case being dismissed. Speak with a qualified San Antonio personal injury lawyer about your case and how the statute of limitations applies.

How much compensation am I entitled to?

It is important to understand that every personal injury case is different. The exact amount of compensation a person is entitled to depends on various factors such as the severity of the physical injuries, the total cost of your medical bills, whether or not you are able to return to work, how much pain and suffering you have endured, and more.

Your San Antonio personal injury attorney will work with economic and medical experts to determine your total losses in order to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Can I Settle Without Filing a Lawsuit?

There is the option of settling a personal injury claim without filing a lawsuit, and most accident claims do get resolved without needing to go to court. However, getting a fair and just settlement is the goal. If an agreement cannot be reached in negotiations with the insurer, then you may decide to file a lawsuit to pursue appropriate compensation.

How Long Does it Take to Reach a Settlement?

The claim settlement process is straightforward, but the length of time it will take can depend upon the complexity of the case, whether there are disputed facts, and the injury recovery time. Cases will typically follow these steps:

Demand Package: once you recover from your injuries and evidence is collected on your behalf, your attorney will send a demand package to the insurance company. This includes a letter containing the details of your claim and the proposed settlement amount.
Response: the insurer will then have a specified amount of time to issue a response. They may deny the claim entirely or make a lower counteroffer.
Negotiation: the back-and-forth process begins in an attempt to raise the settlement offer. It can either end with an agreement or fail to reach a resolution.
Civil Filing: if an agreement cannot be reached, or you are close to the statute of limitations, a lawsuit can be filed to take the matter to court.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration or mediation may be attempted as a lower-cost alternative to trial. It can often result in a successful recovery, or you can appeal and still go to trial.

Get Experienced Legal Guidance in San Antonio

After sustaining a personal injury in Bexar County, you will be overwhelmed. You may be facing lots of wages, medical bills and the complete inability to provide for yourself and your family. Let us be your advocate so you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life. It is your job to get better. It is our job to evaluate your claim, determine negligence, assess damages and determine your present as well as future needs. It is our job to get you the compensation you deserve. We love what we do. We will work for you tirelessly to hold the liable party or parties accountable for their negligence.

Time is of the essence; contact a San Antonio personal injury lawyer right away. We will begin with your free consultation and evaluation of your claim.

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